Kevin Thelwell makes new ‘low-key’ Everton transfer admission ahead of January window
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell has provided an update on the January transfer window, admitting it will be a “low-key” affair at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche’s side currently sits 17th in the Premier League after 18 matches, one point above the relegation zone having recovered incredibly well after being deducted 10 points for breaching the league’s profit and sustainability rules.
While Everton would be keen to plug a couple of holes in their side, the financial situation at Goodison Park will ensure that this will be a quiet month for the Toffees, according to the latest update from Thelwell.
As quoted by the Everton website (27 December) he said: “As we look to January, I can assure you that, whilst there may not be a great deal of transfer business taking place in the coming weeks, it does not mean the hard work is not continuing.
“Being reactive, whilst sometimes inevitable in football, is not a healthy permanent state within which to operate as a club. In that context, January is unlikely to be a busy month here.
“But hard work is ongoing to ensure a squad that has performed consistently well this season can continue to evolve and develop this season, in the summer and beyond.
“Of course, if we feel an opportunity arises in this window for a player we have earmarked and we believe that moving now would deliver an immediate boost to the squad in the short-term, we will explore such an opportunity.
“But please, don’t be drawn in by the inevitable daily churn of social media rumour and conjecture – as enticing as I know such chat can be. This is likely to be a low-key transfer window for Everton.”
Low-key window
While it may not be what Everton fans want to hear, it was always going to be a quieter January at Goodison Park than previously seen as the Toffees continue to navigate their potential takeover and aim to remain within the Premier League’s financial fair play rules.
The recent upturn in form under the management of Dyche has meant that fears of relegation have eased on Merseyside as there is an expectation that the Toffees will be safe in the Premier League for at least this season.
Like all clubs in the Premier League, if the right deal can be completed for the right price in January, Everton will do everything in their power to make it happen, but they won’t be throwing money around recklessly as that has got them in trouble previously.
Hopefully, that “low-key” approach will extend to the plans when selling players and Everton will be able to keep some of their star players at Goodison despite interest from bigger teams in the Premier League.
In other Everton news, The Esk has called upon the Premier League to end 777’s “farce” of a Toffees takeover this season